BLACK SWAN Featurette: Visual Effects Reel
Why Movies & TV Stack Exchange recommends it
Movies Stack Exchange answerers point people to it as primary evidence for how Black Swan's mirror scenes and face-replacement shots were actually filmed.
Recommended by 0 people across 0 different months, 2013 to 2016.
What it is
A four-minute visual effects reel from Searchlight Pictures showing how the dark, creepy effects in Black Swan (2010) were made. It covers techniques such as head replacement of Natalie Portman's face onto other dancers, digital removal of crew from mirror shots, and green screen work.
What people said
Cites Paul Dixon · 2013-05 · Movies & TV Stack Exchange · on “How do they film the mirror scenes in movies?”
Black Swan featured several shots in mirrored dance rehearsal studios where the crew were digitally removed - see below
Cites John Smith Optional · 2014-01 · Movies & TV Stack Exchange · on “Who is the third girl in “Black Swan”?”
The 'Girl' you are referring to is, as you have speculated, a computer generated re-rendering of the principal actress' face. Fox Studios released a visual effects Show reel [this video] 2 years ago, demonstrating the different processes employed to create the special effects and the visual palate of the film. The video demonstrates the repeated use of 'Head Replacement', whereby Natalie Portman's face is rendered over the top of other on screen characters; notably the rest of the Swan Lake ballet cast. The sex scene you refer to is ostensibly an entire fabrication. Nina is suffering from some kind of undiagnosed psychotic episode, the details of which are being discussed elsewhere on the site [L
Cites Thunderforge · 2016-07 · Movies & TV Stack Exchange · on “What is a "hero plate" and what is its purpose in filmmaking?”
While watching a behind the scenes video on some of the visual effects in Black Swan , they show how some of the mirror effects are done and point out that a "hero plate" was used along with green screen: What exactly is a hero plate? And what is its purpose in filmmaking?